Page 85 of Filtration Play
“I’m five.” She held up all five fingers. Ollie plunked her down. “I’m gonna be in kindergarten this year, and I’m going to ride a bus.”
Ollie’s chest squeezed tight. Damn, this kid was adorable.
“Who arrived?” Julian’s voice sounded. His oldest brother swept in, dressed to kill with his chestnut locks pulled back, a light blue blouse, and matching nails. Julian’s gaze settled on him and Fin and where their hands were entangled, and a soft smile reached his lips. Unmistakable pride beamed in his expression, the sort that made Ollie’s throat squeeze. It wasn’t that Jules had thought he needed to be partnered up to be happy, but Jules had seen him through all his worsts.
And at the end of the day, the big brother who had raised him had just wanted him happy.
Ollie definitely was—more than he’d ever believed he could be.
“Glad to see both of you.” Julian wrapped him in a hug, and Ollie let go of Fin’s hand. This would keep happening until they got through greeting the whole crew. He hugged Julian back.
“Is everyone here?” Ollie asked, ignoring the way his eyes stung.
“Yeah, they’re in the kitchen attacking Luke’s buffalo chicken dip.” Jules pulled back. “Good luck getting some.” He turned to Fin and opened his arms. “Never thought I’d see you at one of these, but I’m so damn happy you’re here. Welcome to the family.”
Fin stepped into the offered hug, and the sight on their face struck Ollie square in the chest. Fin blinked rapidly, a bit of utter shock to them, as if they’d expected to get grilled rather than welcomed in. Fin hugged Julian hard.
“Thanks, man,” they said, their voice hoarse.
Ollie’s chest squeezed tight, his heart outside of his chest. It belonged to Fin. Truthfully, it had the moment they’d met.
Jules let Fin go and flashed Ollie a grin. “Go take them to meet the rest of the family. I’ll get Kay-bee.”
Cal stepped in, looking in both directions for his daughter. His smile reached his warm eyes. “Thank fuck, someone I already know who I can weather the chaos with.”
Fin snorted. “Have you met me?”
Ollie shook his head. “Not wrong. You open the door for the chaos and feed it shots of whiskey.”
“Do I finally get to meet your partner?” Ames stomped in, all but shoving Cal out of the way. They could go months without talking and always be close, just because of the connection they’d shared growing up. He’d been wondering what Ames would think of Fin, although he wasn’t really nervous.
“No, I’m a figment of your imagination,” Finsaid in a deadpan voice.
“You’re dating another you?” She scrunched her nose as she looked between them.
Fin barked out a laugh. “Ollie’s far too sweet to be another me.”
Ames lifted her brows. “Sweet? Oliver Hale?”
Fin’s grin grew wicked. “Just a schmoopy little sweetheart, aren’t you, baby cakes?”
Ollie snorted and lifted his middle finger. “Thanks, asshole.” If their brat energy was starting to make an appearance, they were doing fine.
Ames cackled, and as if that was a signal to his siblings, Luke walked in next.
“Shit, Ollie, are you going to drop a bomb on us every time we see you?” He glanced between him and Fin.
“Next time it’ll be a Prince Albert,” Fin said.
Luke’s eyes widened, and a second later, he laughed. “Okay, so you’re clearly fearless. And this is your first time meeting all of us?”
Ollie’s heart thumped hard. Fin appeared that way—utterly fearless, just a complete chaos goblin.
However, he’d seen the truth behind their façade from the moment they met.
Fin wasn’t fearless, and they’d been dealt a shit hand, but they were a fighter. And he was prouder of them with every day that they embraced their relationship.
Ames squeezed him tight. “I’m so glad you brought…wait, what are your pronouns, Fin?”
